Tuesday, March 24, 2009

INTRODUCING GABRIELLA CARMEN SILVERIO

Gabriella and Kansas (Kansas is so protective)
Mommy, daddy and Gabriella (sorry I look so tired)

Daddy & Gabriella snuggling

Sleeping beauty

Wide awake
Going home outfit
Welcomed home by her Grandma's

Mommy & Gabby while she was in the hospital nursery

Daddy feeding a formula supplement

Hugs from Nonnie

Nonnie and her favorite girls

Caroline loves her new baby sister "Babby" she calls her

Proud Papa
Recovering after the birth

Gabby & Abuela

Birthday

First time in mommy's arms

Kiss me I'm Irish (mommy is 1/4 Irish so I decided that St. Pats Day was the perfect day to be born)
Cleaned up after birth

Well, here she is. We are SO in love. She is the best baby - she only fusses when she is hungry and is the most loving little bundle of joy. The love we feel is overwhelming.

Caroline is a very proud big sister and loves Gabriella. She is a big help and loves to have tasks to help with the baby.
Here are the birth details:
Born at 1:58pm on Tuesday, March 17th (St Pat's Day baby) via c-section
8lbs 1oz
19.5 inches long

After 36 hours she was checked for jaundice which is standard for all newborns and her level was pretty high. She had to be put under the lights and supplemented with formula to get rid of the juandice. She was in the nursery at the hospital for 2 days which was very hard for mommy and daddy. We wanted her in our room. We went to be with her and give her her feedings and checked in on her multiple times each day. After 2 days she was clear of the jaundice and came home with us as planned on Saturday.

We had her first doctor's appointment with our peditrician yesterday and she is doing great - no signs of jaundice and she has already gained 10 oz, she is up to 8lbs 11oz. Junior has been so worried that she is not getting enough to eat since it is hard to tell how much she is getting from breastfeeding but the doctor assured us that she is getting enough to eat and there is no need to supplement. 10 oz weight gain the first week is pretty significant. Yes, she is a chunk!

We look at our girls and feel so truly blessed. In tough times like this for so many people, including us in the job market, we are thankful for all that we have and our family is most important. All else will come with patience and faith.

I'm still recovering from the c-section but doing well. I'm probably doing more around the house than I should but that is just me plus with a 2 year old it is hard to take it easy. The hardest part of the c-section is that I cannot life Caroline for a least 6 weeks and it is killing me. We are having lots of snuggle time on our bed and on the couch - I just can't pick her up. She doesn't quite understand but I have shown her the ouchy on my belly and she wants to kiss it and make it better.
Thanks to everyone for your love and support during the pregnancy. We can't wait for everyone to meet our Gabriella.

3 comments:

Our Family of Bloggers said...

CONGRATULATIONS! We can't meet your newest addition.
Take good care of yourselves and enjoy your beautiful family.

Kami said...

Oh Gretchen! I have been waiting for pictures of Gabby. She's absolutely beautiful. And Caroline looks as though she loves having a sister. I thought of you many times hoping everything went well. Glad to hear you are at home and enjoying your new family. We are STILL waiting to hear good news from Kyrgyzstan- HOPING! Love to you...

Unknown said...

So glad that you're all doing well. Gabriella is beautiful!! Take care of yourself and rest! I remember the early days when Sophie was a baby... so tired... but so happy :)